Apr 22, 2022
[Exclusive Mix & Interview] SOLTAN Celebrates DJ Diesel Collab With Massive Live Set
Today we’re joined by SOLTAN, one of bass music's most enigmatic producers, to celebrate his monster collab with DJ Diesel. Out now on Spinnin’ Records, it’s a landmark milestone hearing dubstep on the Dutch dance music imprint, and SOLTAN delivers a loaded studio live set effortlessly blending bass music with Middle Eastern and Indian music to perfectly cap the moment. Crank the volume and read on to learn more about SOLTAN’s developing relationship with Shaq after Tomorrowland 2019, some must plays in his DJ sets, big upcoming music, and more!
Soltan, thanks so much for joining us to celebrate the release of “Dawn Of The Dead”! How’s the response and reaction to the record been so far?
So far, my messages have been flooded with lots of positive reactions. Also, dubstep on Spinnin’ Records has been very impressive for dance music enthusiasts.
Let’s rewind things a bit. When did you first hear about Shaq getting involved with electronic music under his DJ Diesel moniker? What were your thoughts and impressions?
I was watching the Tomorrowland 2019 livestream on YouTube and all of the sudden I came across DJ Diesel’s set. I was shocked at first and was not sure if it was Shaq or not. After watching the stream for like 10 minutes, I heard my track “Sick” being played by DJ Diesel!
How did you get connected to work together on this track and what made “Dawn Of The Dead” the right fit for a collab?
After hearing DJ Diesel playing my track “Sick” at Tomorrowland 2019, I connected with him on Instagram and we planned on writing a song together. Since my music has always been about Middle Eastern culture and music, DJ Diesel and I started brainstorming ideas around Egyptian culture & mythologies and came across the story of Osiris, Egyptian god of the dead, resurrection and afterlife.
“Dawn Of The Dead” also marked the end of a quiet two year period without releases for you. Talk to us some more about that time and why you chose to hold back on the releases. What made “Dawn Of The Dead” the right track to break out of that period?
“Dawn Of the Dead” was started in late 2020, but we felt that this year finally is the right time for release. During the past two years of the pandemic, I faced and overcame mental challenges like many other friends in music as it has impacted our careers so destructively. Also, I took the time off to experiment and learn new sound design techniques in the studio.
We hear that you also have some other big tracks and collabs due out this year as well. Can you shed any insight into any of the new music for readers?!
I can say that this is not the end of my collaborations with DJ Diesel. We have many other surprises for bass music fans. Also, I would like to mention my collaboration with my Middle Eastern friends, Riot, is about to come out soon.
Let’s turn our focus to your Spotlight Mix. How did you approach crafting a flow for this set?
I tried to gather as much Middle Eastern and Indian music as I could and make mashups or edits with them perfectly blended with bass music.
Can you highlight three artists included and why they stand out?
Zomboy. His entire discography is full of ground shaking, groovy bass music. Anytime I play his songs in my sets, the crowd dances like there is no tomorrow.
Space Laces. He is my biggest inspiration in dance music. The quality of his productions is not comparable to any other artist.
Nancy Ajram. She is one of my biggest inspirations in Middle Eastern and Arabic music. I have been playing her “Ah W Noss” in my sets since 2019.
Sadly Never Say Die Records recently announced that they had put out their last release. Can you talk some more about your work on the label and the role that NSD has played in your career?
Skism and Never Say Die were a huge part of my career. Skism’s feedback was so crucial in how the SOLTAN sound has been shaped over years. I am very thankful for everything that NSD’s team has done for me and won’t ever forget it.
After two years since the outbreak of Covid, how have you adjusted your workflow, goals, and plans for SOLTAN compared to pre-pandemic?
The pandemic enabled my personal and mental growth. I have learned to appreciate every moment and be grateful for what I have in my hands and how positively I can impact others. My musical workflow remains the same. In addition, other genres within dance and world music have sparked my interest which won’t limit my music to bass music only.
And looking ahead, what’s keeping you excited and motivated on a daily basis? Any plans for the rest of 2022 that you’d like to share?
I am moving to the United States soon. Hopefully, it opens more doors to my career, more meetings with my producer friends, more live shows and my journey within dance music.
DJ Diesel x SOLTAN - "Dawn Of The Dead" is available to download/stream on your platform of choice today! https://spinninrecords.com/releases/dawn-of-the-dead-feat-shaquille-oneal
short link 1001.tl/b6nkhl
